How many electrons can occupy the first electron shell?

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Multiple Choice

How many electrons can occupy the first electron shell?

Explanation:
The first electron shell can hold up to two electrons. This shell (n = 1) contains only one orbital, the 1s orbital. An orbital can hold two electrons, and those two must have opposite spins due to the Pauli exclusion principle. The rule for shell capacity 2n^2 gives 2×1^2 = 2 for the first shell, so two is the maximum. The other numbers would require more electrons than the 1s orbital can accommodate.

The first electron shell can hold up to two electrons. This shell (n = 1) contains only one orbital, the 1s orbital. An orbital can hold two electrons, and those two must have opposite spins due to the Pauli exclusion principle. The rule for shell capacity 2n^2 gives 2×1^2 = 2 for the first shell, so two is the maximum. The other numbers would require more electrons than the 1s orbital can accommodate.

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